PP joins growing chorus calling for Malawi referendum

The opposition People’s Party (PP)of State Vice President Joyce Banda has asked President Bingu wa Mutharika to call for a referendum, saying his DPP led government has become dysfunctional in the wake of continuing judiciary shut down.

Malawi’s judicial support workers have been on strike since January 9, 2012 demanding improved conditions of service. Government needs MK1.2 billion to pay arrears dating to 2006.

But Malawi governmentspokesperson Patricia Kaliati brushed away the call, saying government can not waste money for such an exercise.

Mfune: Mutharika must seek fresh mandate

“If they want to be in government they must wait for 2014,” said Kaliati, who is also Minister of Information and Civic education.

PP’s third deputy Publicity Secretary Levant Mfune made the call in Mzuzu on Monday when the party welcomed to its ranks Alliance for Democracy (Aford) District Chairperson for Mzuzu district Ipyana Thakomwa.

In his rather fault analogy, Mfune likened the government to a car with three wheels instead of four.

“That car will be useless because it will not move. Driving such a car creates more problems and that is exactly what Mutharika is doing to Malawi,” he said.

Devalutaion

Mfune also questioned President Mutharika’s consultations on devaluing Malawi’s currency the Kwacha, describing his approach as unorthodox as an Economist.

“It is unheard of anywhere in the world. Devaluation is controlled by market forces and not by Chiefs or other people he has consulted. President Mutharika must know better and should not stoop so low,” he said.

On his move to PP, Thakomwa said Aford has lost direction and is heading for extinction.

“The failure of the party to hold a convention, the existence of small loyalist groups within the party and lack of transparency has forced me to call it quits,” he said.